A waterfront clash is brewing as plans for a floating barrier near an exclusive Florida estate spark outrage among neighbors. The unusual project, now under review by state and federal authorities, has left residents questioning the motives behind the move and its potential impact on public water access.

Sylvester Stallone’s waterfront dream in Palm Beach has hit a snag, but it’s not the waves causing trouble. The action star’s plan to install a floating barrier near his $35M estate has drawn unexpected pushback from his neighbors, who say they were caught off guard by the proposal.

With questions about access to public waterways now at the center of the debate, the situation has sparked formal objections and the attention of state and federal regulators. The Stallones, who left California in search of a fresh start, shared their big decision on their reality series.

The Barrier Controversy: A Quest for Privacy Meets Unexpected Resistance

When Stallone and his wife, Jennifer Flavin, decided to leave California behind for a quieter life in Florida, they envisioned a fresh start by the water. Their move was documented on “The Family Stallone” reality series, where Stallone revealed to his daughters that he and Flavin would be making Florida their permanent home.

“After [a] long, hard consideration, your mother and I have decided (it’s) time to move on and leave the state of California permanently,” he explained. The couple had already purchased a $35.38M West Indies-style mansion in Palm Beach in 2020.

The relocation marked a shift in the Stallone family’s lifestyle. Stallone and Flavin became empty nesters, after their daughters, Sophia, Sistine, and Scarlet, moved out for college and other pursuits.

“I raised all three of our daughters in California,” Flavin said during the episode. “Everything’s a memory to me, memories of them not being there anymore. So, I needed a big change, and Sly went along with it.”

Stallone’s next move was to apply for permission to install a floating barrier in the water next to his property. Officially, the purpose of the barrier, according to Stallone’s application, was to block seaweed and debris from washing ashore.

But public notices from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers revealed an additional, more controversial purpose: to “exclude boaters” from accessing the waters near his estate. This dual intent raised questions from neighbors and prompted objections from the community.

The barrier itself is a carefully engineered structure. Plans show it would stretch 191 feet south from Stallone’s dock. It would then make a sharp 90-degree turn to extend another 50 feet back toward the shore, forming an “L” shape. The floating portion would rise 8 inches above the water’s surface and reach 10 inches below.

Six anchor piles would secure it to the waterbed, with nylon ropes and eyelets providing additional support. While the design allows marine life to swim under or around it, critics argue the primary goal is to block human access, not fish.

The project was set in motion well before it became a public controversy. In 2022, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) conducted a site survey. By January 2023, Stallone’s financial representative, wealth manager Lester Knispel, submitted a formal application on behalf of Southpaw Trust.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers followed with a public notice on October 24, 2023, allowing a 30-day period for public comment, which ended on November 24. Neighbors received formal letters from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection about the proposal, but the timing of the notice has raised concerns.

Privacy or Overreach?: Neighbors Push Back on Stallone’s Plans

The proposal has not gone over well with Stallone’s Palm Beach neighbors. Residents of the North End community say they were blindsided by the proposal, learning about it only after receiving formal notices from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

The notice, which arrived just before the holiday season, gave neighbors until Christmas Day to submit their objections, a deadline many feel was unfairly tight. One of the most vocal critics has been Bradford Gary, a nearby resident who voiced his frustration about the lack of communication from Stallone or his representatives.

“Usually when your neighbors are gonna do something, we’ve found in Palm Beach, usually they call,” Gary said. For Gary and his wife, Susan, the surprise nature of the notice was enough to spark action. The couple filed formal objections with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

With formal objections on file and regulatory agencies reviewing the application, the fate of Stallone’s barrier hangs in the balance. Stallone’s Palm Beach estate offers a glimpse into the luxury and privacy the actor sought when he left California.

A Look Inside Stallone’s Private Waterfront Retreat

Their Palm Beach home is a far cry from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles. The couple purchased the $35.38M estate in 2020 through Stallone’s Southpaw Trust. The West Indies-style mansion, located in the exclusive North End of Palm Beach, sits on a coveted stretch of waterfront property.

With Stallone and Flavin now fully settled in Florida, their focus has shifted to making the estate the ideal home for their new phase of life. But as the floating barrier controversy shows, creating a private haven on the water may come with unexpected challenges.

The home, designed in a classic West Indies architectural style, features a main residence, a guesthouse, and a pool pavilion. The property is situated just south of the Palm Beach Inlet. One of the most notable aspects of the mansion is its 262-foot private beach, offering breathtaking views of the Intracoastal Waterway.

The estate is flanked by scenic landmarks, including the Port of Palm Beach and Peanut Island, a popular recreational spot for boaters. Their controversial decision may be part of this broader effort to protect their privacy from onlookers and recreational boaters.

What Happens Next in Stallone’s Barrier Battle?

The review process is far from over. Both the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will have to decide whether to approve, deny, or request modifications to the proposal.

The review process has been ongoing for months, with the public comment period ending on November 24, 2023. The objections from neighbors like the Garys are expected to weigh heavily on the final decision. If objections are strong enough, Sylvester Stallone may be asked to revise his plans or attend a formal hearing.

The timeline for a final decision is still unclear, but it could take several months. For now, local residents and Palm Beach officials are keeping a close eye on the process.